The Bay State League Heats Up

Newton North has won every Bay State Conference girls indoor track title since 1998 with two exceptions- 2008 and 2009. Both of these were wins by Weymouth, but only a handful of kids remain from those teams. In 2010, Weymouth almost made it a three-peat, but was upended by North on the final event, the 4x400 meter relay, with the teams' best runners, Margo Gillis (Georgetown '15) and Jill Corcoran (Dartmouth '15) anchoring the grudge match. 2011 had all of the fanfare of previous years, but lacked the result- North won handliy.

Now, the Dartmouth Relays runner-up Newton North team, winners of last year's Indoor Division I meet and Outdoor Track divisional and All State Meets, faces it's toughest dual meet. Weymouth does not have the resume that North has, but it has proven in past years that this doesn't mean anything. A discipline by discipline preview of tonight's meet:

Distance events: North's Evie Heffernan (5:07.77 mile) torched the scene last spring, having a breakthrough freshman year like no other. Peter Martin has her geared toward a great career and sister Maggie (5:19.84 2011) isn't far behind. Add to that Becca Trayner (12:24 2 mile) and a slew of young middle distance runners, and Weymouth will have its hands full. The Wildcats will counter with senior captains Bridget Jaklitsch (5:18 mile PR) and Julie Tevenan (5:32 2012), Allison Brady (2:21 800 meter split), juniors Morgan Fitzgibbon (1:46 600 last week) and Molly Barker (11:32 2 mile), sophomore Katie Leahy (12:37 2 mile at Dartmouth) and freshman Ashley Betts (5:36 mile). These events have to tilt towards Weymouth, or North holds an advantage.

Sprints and hurdles: 2-time National Champion Carla Forbes can basically cruise to three wins if she is put in the long jump, 55 meters, and 300 meters. She doesn't have limitations though, as she is a formidable hurdler and high jumper as well, and is back up by elite athletes in every event (Kayla Wong in the 55, hurdles, and long jump, Madi Nadeau in the 300, and Meagan Bellerose in the 600). Weymouth needs to stop the bleeding with Melissa Darling (55, 300, or 55 hurdles) and Jen Kimball (300 or 600), and needs to fight off North's excellent depth for some key 3rd places.

Jumps and shot put: The shot is a Weymouth advantage on paper as Nostia Amazan uncorked a 33'9 bomb a week ago, just in time. Michaela Salvucci, a senior, is no slouch, having gone 31' early on. The battle for 3rd could prove crucial. Forbes takes the LJ, but Darling and Wong will battle here again for 2nd and 3rd. The meet could very well come down to the high jump, where both teams are very good and very deep. North's leader is Lucia Grigoli (5'0" so far) who popped off a 5'4" bomb at this meet last year to end the hopes of Weymouth. They back her up with Forbes and Maeve Larkin, each of whom can go 5'0". Weymouth counters with Kate Pearce, Ashley Donovan, and Jen Kimball, all of whom have cleared 4'11" or higher to this point.

4x400 meter relay: On paper, a Newton advantage, but throw out your papers. Forbes is almost certainly doubled out, as might be Darling, somewhat evening the playing field. One thing is certain.... if the meet comes down to this, the Reggie will be rocking!